Dan Orlovsky warns how long it’ll take Bears QB Caleb Williams to master Ben Johnson’s offense

The Chicago Bears have hired new head coach Ben Johnson in the offseason, aiming to improve the team with young quarterback Caleb Williams, the number one overall pick who displayed promising talent during his rookie season.

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has cautioned that success under Johnson may not be immediate, stating that Williams must "erase a decade worth of playing a certain style of football and rebuild the habits." This refers to Williams' improvisational, "backyard football" approach from his time at USC, where he frequently scrambled and made plays on the fly.

Williams discovered this style is less effective in the NFL, and Johnson is working to instill a more disciplined approach. However, Orlovsky emphasized that this transition will require significant time.

The Bears face challenges in the competitive NFC North, which was highly dominant last season. Chicago was the only team in the division not to make the playoffs and is seeking to end a four-year playoff drought in 2025 after offseason roster additions.

Ultimately, the Bears' chances of contending depend on Williams successfully blending his arm talent and athleticism with a more measured playing style under Johnson's guidance.